Our Lions vs Panthers prediction closes the Sunday schedule with the two defenses that have given up the most, in opposite ways. Squawka Signal’s live read on this game, including where the value sits, updates on this page through the week.
The Detroit Lions have conceded 13 touchdowns and 898 passing yards, both league highs. The Carolina Panthers have allowed 580 rushing yards at 5.7 a carry, also a league high. Bank of America Stadium should be busy on Sunday night.
Lions vs Panthers: our editor’s props
Two editorial calls to sit alongside the live Signal numbers on this page.
AT 
Our props
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Lions vs Panthers: 2026 form so far
Two defenses that have been picked apart, one through the air and one on the ground. The table puts each attack against what the opposite side has actually allowed.
Lions attack against the Panthers defense
| Per game | Lions offense | Panthers allow |
|---|---|---|
| Passing yards | 247.7 | 172.3 |
| Rushing yards | 120.7 | 193.3 |
| Yards per carry | 4.4 | 5.7 |
| Passer rating | 116.1 | 79.0 |
| Touchdowns | 4.0 | 3.3 |
| Third-down conversion | 41.2% | 45.2% |
| Red-zone conversion | 78.6% | 85.7% |
| Sacks conceded / recorded | 2.3 | 2.0 |
Panthers attack against the Lions defense
| Per game | Panthers offense | Lions allow |
|---|---|---|
| Passing yards | 295.7 | 299.3 |
| Rushing yards | 97.0 | 117.3 |
| Yards per carry | 4.3 | 4.4 |
| Passer rating | 95.6 | 110.2 |
| Touchdowns | 3.3 | 4.3 |
| Third-down conversion | 36.8% | 56.1% |
| Red-zone conversion | 61.5% | 84.6% |
| Sacks conceded / recorded | 2.3 | 4.0 |
Read these as a 3-game sample rather than settled form. Rates this early move a long way on one result.
Detroit concede 84.6% of red-zone trips and Carolina 85.7%. Those are the two worst figures in the league, and they are the reason the total is the play rather than the spread.
Lions vs Panthers quarterback matchup
Jared Goff has not thrown an interception this season. Bryce Young has attempted more passes than all but two quarterbacks in the league.
| Team | Quarterback | Last game | Season to date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lions | Jared Goff | 25/32, 269 yds, 2 TD, 0 INT, 122.5 rtg | 77/109, 802 yds, 8 TD, 0 INT, 116.1 rtg (3 games) |
| Panthers | Bryce Young | 26/48, 291 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT, 70.7 rtg | 72/121, 939 yds, 7 TD, 2 INT, 96.4 rtg (3 games) |
Lions vs Panthers injury report and team news
Jared Goff has thrown eight touchdown passes without an interception in three games at a 116.1 rating.
Bryce Young threw 48 times for 291 yards at Cleveland and has 939 passing yards this season, more than any other quarterback.
This section updates as soon as the Out, Doubtful and Questionable tags land.
Where Lions vs Panthers is decided
Detroit have conceded 13 touchdowns and 898 passing yards in three games, and both are the highest totals in the league. They are still 2-1, because Jared Goff has thrown eight touchdown passes without an interception and the offense has scored 12 times.
Carolina’s problem is the run. Five hundred and eighty rushing yards allowed at 5.7 a carry, and Chicago put 59 points on them in Week 1. Detroit run at 4.4 a carry with Jahmyr Gibbs, who has four rushing touchdowns already.
Both defenses concede in the red zone too, at 84.6% and 85.7%, the two worst rates in the league. Neither side is likely to be stopped when they get close, which points at the total rather than the margin.
Players to watch
- Jared Goff (DET, QB): 25 of 32 for 269 yards and two touchdowns against the Jets.
- Jahmyr Gibbs (DET, RB): 99 rushing yards and two touchdowns plus 65 receiving in Week 3.
- Bryce Young (CAR, QB): 291 yards from 48 attempts at Cleveland.
- Chuba Hubbard (CAR, RB): 19 carries for 82 yards in Week 3.
How to watch Lions vs Panthers
Kickoff is 8:20 PM ET on Sunday, October 4 at Bank of America Stadium, which is 7:20 PM CT and 5:20 PM PT. NBC has the national broadcast, with streaming on Peacock.
| Detail | Lions vs Panthers |
|---|---|
| Date | Sunday, October 4, 2026 |
| Kickoff | 8:20 PM ET / 7:20 PM CT / 5:20 PM PT |
| Venue | Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC |
| TV | NBC/Peacock |
| Live stream | Peacock / NFL+ |
| Week | Week 4, 2026 NFL season |
Lions vs Panthers prediction and score projection
Our Lions vs Panthers prediction is a Detroit win, 31-24. The Lions have the better quarterback and the better running back, and Carolina cannot stop the run.
The live win probability and the model’s projected margin update on this page through the week.
Every Week 4 game, previewed
| Kickoff (ET) | Game | Our prediction | Preview |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu 8:15 PM | Steelers @ Browns | Browns 20-17 | Read |
| Sun 9:30 AM | Colts @ Commanders | Commanders 27-24 | Read |
| Sun 1:00 PM | Cardinals @ Giants | Cardinals 24-20 | Read |
| Sun 1:00 PM | Cowboys @ Texans | Cowboys 27-24 | Read |
| Sun 1:00 PM | Packers @ Buccaneers | Packers 23-20 | Read |
| Sun 1:00 PM | Jaguars @ Bengals | Jaguars 24-20 | Read |
| Sun 1:00 PM | Rams @ Eagles | Rams 24-20 | Read |
| Sun 1:00 PM | Patriots @ Bills | Bills 30-16 | Read |
| Sun 1:00 PM | Jets @ Bears | Bears 27-24 | Read |
| Sun 1:00 PM | Titans @ Ravens | Ravens 27-13 | Read |
| Sun 4:05 PM | Dolphins @ Vikings | Vikings 24-13 | Read |
| Sun 4:25 PM | Broncos @ 49ers | 49ers 31-17 | Read |
| Sun 4:25 PM | Chiefs @ Raiders | Chiefs 27-24 | Read |
| Sun 4:25 PM | Chargers @ Seahawks | Seahawks 27-17 | Read |
| Sun 8:20 PM | Lions @ Panthers | Lions 31-24 | You are here |
| Mon 8:15 PM | Falcons @ Saints | Saints 26-23 | Read |
Every fixture in the round is covered across our NFL hub, and Signal rates every game on the NFL picks page.
Lions vs Panthers FAQ
Detroit, despite playing away. The Lions are 2-1 with 12 touchdowns; Carolina are 1-2.
8:20 PM ET on Sunday, October 4, at Bank of America Stadium.
Detroit have conceded 13 touchdowns and Carolina 10, and the two sides concede 84.6% and 85.7% of red-zone trips, the worst rates in the league.
Detroit beat the New York Jets 31-24. Carolina lost 21-18 at Cleveland.
21+ | Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER | Signal probabilities and odds approximate at time of writing and subject to change